What Vitamin Supplements are Good for The Gallbladder?

Tip

One of the best vitamins for gallbladder support is vitamin C, which may protect against gallstones and gallbladder disease and improve overall gallbladder health.

Vitamin C for Gallbladder Support

Gallstones are a very common gastrointestinal complaint in Western populations, affecting roughly 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. population alone, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Approximately 25 percent of the nearly 1 million people diagnosed with gallstones annually require treatment, typically with surgery.

Note that cholesterol stones, which are made of hardened cholesterol, are more prevalent than pigment stones, which are made of bilirubin. Vitamin C helps increase the breakdown of cholesterol, limiting the risk that it will build up and contribute to the formation of gallstones.

Reduce Gallbladder Disease Risk

The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center notes that the antioxidant and immune support functions of vitamin C may be beneficial for people with gallbladder disease. Other beneficial dietary changes for gallbladder health include avoiding alcohol and trans fats, eating more fiber and antioxidant-rich foods, limiting your intake of red meat and eating more foods rich in iron and B vitamins.

Understanding Gallbladder Cancer

A relatively rare and aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis for survival, gallbladder cancer has an increased incidence among Native American populations in the Southwest and among women in particular. The disease tends to present itself at an advanced stage, increasing mortality rates.

Recommended Vitamin C Intake

Women should consume at least 75 milligrams of vitamin C per day, and men need at least 90 milligrams daily. If you smoke, add another 35 milligrams per day to your vitamin C requirements. You can easily meet these needs by eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Particularly good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, tomato, cauliflower, cantaloupe, cabbage and brussels sprouts.

If you're considering vitamin C supplements for gallbladder health, check with your doctor to determine the appropriate amount of vitamin C for you. Too much vitamin C can cause nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramps and may increase your risk for kidney problems. Vitamin C can also interact with certain statins and chemotherapy medications.

Read more on: vitamin